| Varna is Bulgaria's third largest city. It
was an inhabited place even before the Greeks established the colony of
Odessos there about 580 B.C. Later, under the Romans and their
successors, the Slavs, Varna became a major port trading with
Constantinople, Venice and Dubrovnik. In 1393 it was captured by the
Turks, who made it an important military centre.
Nowadays it is the main port for both naval and commercial shipping
and, adjacent as it is to the coastal resorts of Golden Sands, St.
Constantine (Drouzhba) and Albena, it has a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Sailors on shore-leave in unfamiliar ceremonial uniforms, mingle with
foreign tourists and locals as they promenade along shady boulevards,
lined by dignified 19th and early 20th century buildings.
The 19th century Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin is an
imposing landmark, which contains a finely carved iconostasis and
bishop's throne, some interesting murals and stained glass.
The 2nd century thermae are the remains of the largest Roman public
building in Bulgaria. During this century enough has been revealed by
archaeologists to give a good impression of the original layout, though
some parts of the building remain hidden under nearby streets. Coming
across an extensive ancient building amidst the streets and houses of a
modern city is not unusual in Bulgaria, but is always a delight.
Further from the centre, a granite monument commemorates the Battle
of Varna, which took place in 1444. Here 30,000 Crusaders were waiting
to sail to Constantinople when they were attacked by 120,000 Turks. The
Polish King Ladislas was killed in a bold attempt to capture the Sultan
Murad. The subsequent retreat foreshadowed Christendom's general retreat
before the advancing Ottomans.
North of Varna there is a cluster of seaside resorts all with fine -
sandy beaches but differing in size and style. |
